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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — A Drexel University professor says Jason Collins’ announcement may be signaling a change in major men’s sports.

After 14 years in the NBA, Jason Collins, who recently signed with the Washington Wizards, has announced that he’s gay.

Doctor Ellen Staurowsky, a professor of sports management at Drexel, says this is not a first in all men’s sports, just the Big Four.

“Jason is not the first male athlete to come out, but there are certain bastions in the male community where it was too threatening to come out,” Staurowsky says.

She also says that what’s new about the announcement is the timing.

“The fact that Jason Collins has announced this while he’s still an active player, this is signaling that very hyper-masculine atmosphere in the quote-unquote major men’s sports. I think this is signaling there’s a change…there.”